NBA commissioner Adam Silver shows compassion for Ben Simmons and his mental health status

CLEVELAND — Ben Simmons got his wish when the 76ers traded him to the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 10. However, his decision not to play for the Sixers until they traded him despite being in the second year of a $177 million contract extension remains a hot topic. .

League owners have privately expressed their displeasure over a standout player who chose to remain sidelined with multiple seasons remaining on his contract. But Simmons said he mentally couldn’t play for the Sixers.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the situation Saturday at All-Star Weekend.

“Take a step back and let go [the] individual Dispute, [this situation is] a reminder that these are human beings in some of the most stressful jobs out there,” Silver said. “I don’t want to compare them to people who risk their lives and things like that. It’s a whole different level of stress, but in terms of the social media bubble that you live in, the coverage that you all provide and that we’re grateful for, people react to it in different ways and it can be incredibly intense. in them.

“We have to adjust the way society is to understand how social media can impact people, how media coverage affects them.”

Simmons has become public enemy No. 1 in Philadelphia following his struggles in June’s second-round playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Fans have burned his Simmons No. 25 jerseys. The Philadelphia and national media continue to mock his poor shooting.

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The point guard also felt five-time Sixers All-Star Joel Embiid and coach Doc Rivers threw him under the bus following the decisive Game 7 loss on June 20.

the sixers Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond traded and two first-round picks for the Nets for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

The Sixers will entertain Brooklyn at the Wells Fargo Center on March 10.